Applicator for fluids

ABSTRACT

An applicator for fluids, such as cosmetic fluids to be applied to a person&#39;&#39;s skin, includijg a container for the fluid adapted to flow through a passage or orifice in its tip, the passage being of such length and diameter that the fluid tends to rise in the orifice to a greater extent than the length of the orifice for discharge onto a person&#39;&#39;s skin. When not applied to the skin, surface tension of the fluid in the orifice prevents leakage. A cap carries a small diameter punch or wire which is inserted into the orifice whenever the cap is replaced over the container to be assured that the orifice is clear, or to unplug it if restricted.

United States Patent Spatz Feb. 26, 1974 1 APPLICATOR FOR FLUIDS [75] Inventor: Walter B. Spatz, Santa Monica,

Calif.

[73] Assignee: Spatz Corporation, Venice, Calif.

[22] Filed: Mar. 17, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 235,689

52 us. or. 401/262 [51] Int. Cl B43k 9/00 [58] Field of Search... 401/262, 265, 258, 243-248, 401/292; 29/406; 220/51 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,849,739 9/1958 Dresden 401/265 X 3,109,562 11/1963 Ferris 220/51 X 3,133,310 5/1964 Yorker et al. 401/262 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Primary ExaminerLawrence Charles [57] ABSTRACT An applicator for fluids, such as cosmetic fluids to be applied to a persons skin, includijg a container for the fluid adapted to flow through a passage or orifice in its tip, the passage being of such length and diameter that the fluid tends to rise in the orifice to a greater extent than the length of the orifice for discharge onto a persons skin. When not applied to the skin, surface tension of the fluid in the orifice prevents leakage. A cap carries a small diameter punch or wire which is inserted into the orifice whenever the cap is replaced over the container to be assured that the orifice is clear, or to unplug it if restricted.

759,175 5/1967 Canada 401/265 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures i 3: 49 1 1445 36 35 0:} ,45 4a X 1 Q f/ v 60-1 *4 41 an i.. 30- L 2 Q25 1 APPLICATOR FOR FLUIDS The present invention relates to applicators, and more particularly to applicators for applying fluent materials to a persons skin.

Cosmetic and similar applicators may have discharge passages of relatively small diameter through which the fluid mass is to flow from the interior of the applicator for application to a persons skin. Since cosmetic fluids tend to air dry, the fluid mass may cake in the discharge passage, precluding further flow therethrough, thereby rendering the applicator useless.

By virtue of the present invention, an applicator having a small diameter discharge passage is provided which is prevented from plugging or becoming restricted. Each time a cap or cover is replaced on the main bodyor barrel of the applicator, its discharge passage is automatically cleared, conditioning the applicator for subsequent use, with assurance that the fluid will flow properly through the discharge passage.

The invention finds particular use when applied to applicators having discharge passages of relatively small diameter, such as about 0.015 inches. The tendency for some fluids to cake in the passage becomes pronounced, but the passage is cleared mechanically as through use of a fine wire or unplugging tool secured to the cap and inserted substantially completely through the passage as an incident of replacing the cap on the body or barrel of the applicator. To assure centering of the wire with respect to the passage and its proper entry thereinto, a centering device and guide is associated with the wire and cap, this device and guide covering and protecting the wire until the cap is partially replaced on the applicator body and the wire positioned in coaxial relation to the passage, whereupon full replacing of the cap drives the unplugging tool through the passage to insure its full clearance.

The applicator has a tip or terminus provided with a discharge passage or orifice of capillary size, which has a length less then the height to which fluid in the passage or orifice will rise under capillary action. This provides excess lifting power, the fluid tending to flow upwardly from the upper end of the passage, but being prevented from doing so by surface tension. Contact of the tip with a surface, such as a persosons skin, effects flow through the passage onto the skin. Such flow will still occur with the tip pointed upwardly in view of the excess lifting power noted above. In a fluid or liquid cartridge of small diameter, for example about Vs inch, connected to the'tip, backward flow of the fluid does not occur since the tip has its forward end virtually closed by the capillary passage. If larger diameter cartridges are to be employed, liquid followers are usable therein, such as found in ball point pens.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other purposes which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. lt will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, side elevational view of an applicator embodying the invention, such as an eyeliner;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the forward portion of the applicator, with its cover partially removed;

FIG. 3 is a view, similar to FIG. 2, with the cover fully mounted on the applicator barrel or container.

The applicator disclosed in the drawings includes a barrel 10 having an elongate cavity 1 l therein receiving a cartridge 12 containing a suitable fluid or fluent material, such as a cosmetic material, which, for example, may be used for eyelining purposes. This material can pass forwardly from the interior 13 of the cartridge into a central passage 14in its nose portion 15,;the rear part 16 of which is piloted within the forward end of the cartridge, the nose having an outwardly directed shoulder 17 abutting the forward end 18 of the cartridge. The nose tapers in a forward direction toward its tip portion 19, the tapered surface 20 forming a continuation of the tapered forward portion 21 of the barrel.

The tip has a central passage or orifice 22 therethrough of capillary diameter, which is of substantially lesser diameter than the inside diameter of the passage 14 through the nose rearwardly of the tip 19. This orifice has a length L significantly less then the height to which the'cosmetic fluid tends to rise. In other words,

the cosmetic fluid in the orifice 22 tends to rise therein to a greater extent then the length L of the orifice, and, in fact, is capable of lifting the entire column of fluid in the passage 22, 14 and cartridge 13, to insure an au tomatic forward feed of the liquid in the cartridge 12 and tapered nose l5.

- Despite the tendency of the fluid to be lifted upwardly through the orifice 22 for discharge therefrom, the surface tension of the liquid against the wall of the orifice prevents leakage. However, flow of the liquid or fluid does not occur when the forward portion of the tip 19 is applied to a surface, such as a persons skin. If the applicator is used as an eyeliner, the contact of the tip 7 19 with a persons upper lid, for example, enables a desired line to be applied thereto. Because of the excess lifting power of the capillary orifice or passage 22, the tip may be pointed upwardly and fluid flow will still occur through the passage 22 and onto a surface to which the tip 19 is applied.

By way of example, an applicator designed for eyeliner use may employ a cartridge 12 corresponding dimensionally to a ball pen cartridge or tube, which has an inside diameter of about Vs inch. The diameter of the capillary passage or orifice 22 may, for example, have a diameter D of about 0.015 inches and a length L of about 0.070 inches. In the event that larger diameter tubular cartridges 12 are to be used, to furnish a much greater fluid supply than found in a A: inch diameter tubular cartridge, a liquid follower (not shown) at the rear portion of the fluid supply will be provided in the cartridge, in a manner well known in ball pen cartridge tubes.

With the diameter of tubular cartridge 12 given above of about Va inch, the fluid will not flow rearwardly of the tube 12, particularly since its forward end or tip 19 is virtually closed because of the presence of the capillary size orifice 22. Surface tension precludes the fluid from retrograde movement; whereas, the lifting power of the orifice 22 produces the forward flow of the material in the tubular cartridge 12, passage 14 of the tapered nose 15 and through the orifice 22.

It will be noted that the tip 19 has an internal rearwardly tapering surface 24 at the rear end of the orifice 22, providing a trap 25 in conjunction with the wall 26 of the passage 14 for particulates that might be present in the liquid or fluid within the passage. The trapping of such particulates minimizes the number of particulates entering the capillary orifice 22. I

Certain fluids, such as cosmetics, tend to air dry, and the mass would soon cake in the capillary orifice 22, rendering the applicator incapable of further use. With the applicator illustrated in the drawings, this orifice is cleared after each use, and remains in a substantially clear condition. As specifically illustrated, the tip 19,

nose 15, and forward portion of the barrel can be covered by a removable cap 30 of generally cylindrical form adapted to fit over a reduced diameter forward portion 10a of the barrel adjacent to its taper 21, the placing of the cap over the barrel being limited by engagement of the rear end 31 of the cap with a barrel shoulder 32. A head 33 is mounted in and suitably secured to the forward closure or end 34 of the cap, this head including an outer elongate skirt 35 and a center post 36, both extending rearwardly from the end wall 33 of the head. A wire, punch or unplugging tool 37 has its forward portion received within a bore 38 in the center post 36 and suitably secured thereto, the wire being of a diameter slightly less then the diameter of the capillary orifice 22 and having a tapered point 39 to insure centering of the wire or unplugging tool with respect to the capillary orifice, and its passage fully through the orifice 22 into the nose passage 14. By way of example, assuming the orifice diameter D to be about 0.015 inches, the diameter of the unplugging tool 37 may be about 0.010 inches.

In view of the small diameter of the wire and the small diameter of the capillary orifice, it is desirable to substantially center the wire 37 with respect to the passage 22 prior to its insertion into the latter for the purpose of clearing or unplugging it, or to insure its being in a clear state. It is also desirable to protect the small diameter wire 37 before it is aligned with the orifice 22 preparatory to its insertion thereinto. A guide and centering member 40 extends partially into the skirt 35 of the head, surrounding the unplugging tool 37, the latter extending through a passage 41 in the central portion 42 of the guide member. This passage opens rearwardly into an enlarged counterbore portion 43 having a diameter conforming to the outside diameter of the tip at a desired distance P rearwardly of its forward terminus 44. The counterbore merges into a flaring mouth 45 in the rearward end portion of the guide 40. The forward end of the guide has an external flange 46 overlying a companion internal flange 47 at the inner end of the skirt 35, these flanges having companion rearwardly and inwardly directed tapers 48.

A helical compression spring 49 surrounds the center post 36, with its forward end engaging the base 33 of the head 33 and its rearward end engaging a shoulder 50 in the guide 40, tending to shift the guide inwardly to its fullest extent as determined by engagement of the guide flanges 46 with the skirt flange 47 (FIG. 2). At this time, the rear portion of the guide and its central passage portion 41 substantially completely enclose and protect the unplugging tool or wire 37.

Each time the cap 30 is replaced over the barrel 10, the rear portion 30a of the cap will first slide along the reduced diameter forward portion 10a of the barrel. With the cap partially moved along the forward barrel portion 10a (FIG. 2), the flaring wall 45 of the guide mouth engages the tip 19, such flaring mouth and the taper of the tip centering the guide 40 with respect to the tapered nose 15 and its tip 19. Such centering action also places the wire or unplugging tool 37 coaxially of the orifice 22. As the cap 10 is moved to a further extent rearwardly along the barrel 10, the guide 40, which cannot move inwardly longitudinally any further, serves to steer the wire 37 within the guide passage 41 and into the capillary orifice 22. The full movement of the cap 30 over the barrel 10, until it engages the barrel shoulder 32 (FIG. 3), results in the tapered point 39 moving into the large diameter nose passage 14, which insures that the orifice 22 along its entire length has been cleared of any relatively solid material, or that it is in a cleared condition.

When the applicator is to be used, the removal of the cap 10 also removes the unplugging tool 37 from the orifice 22, insuring that the latter is in a clear condition for freedom of flow of the fluid therethrough. If any particles have entered the orifice 22 during use of the applicator, or while the cap is off the barrel, the act of replacing the cap 10 automatically centers and directs the purging tool 37 into and through the orifice 22, clearing it of any foreign materials, and restoring it for effective subsequent use.

l claim:

1. In an applicator: a container for a fluid and having a forward portion provided with a discharge opening communicating the interior of the container with the exterior of the forward portion; cover means removably mounted on said container to enclose said forward portion; and unplugging means carried by said cover means insertable into said opening in response to mounting of said cover means on said container to clear said opening; and centering means in said cover means engageable with said forward portion to position said unplugging means substantially coaxial of said opening preparatory to insertion of said unplugging means in said opening, said unplugging means being slidable axially within said centering means and into said opening after engagement of said centering means withsaid forward portion.

2. In an applicator: a container for a fluid and having a forward portion provided with a discharge opening communicating the interior of the container with the exterior of the forward portion; cover means removably mounted on said container to enclose said forward portion; and unplugging means carried by said cover means insertable into said opening in response to mounting of said cover means on said container to clear said opening; guide means shiftably mounted in said cover means; said unplugging means being slidable axially in said guide means; said guide means being engageable with said forward portion upon partial mounting of said cover means on said container to position said unplugging means substantially coaxial of said opening preparatory to movement of said unplugging means into said opening, whereupon fullmounting of said cover means on said container shifts said unplugging means into said opening to clear the same.

3. In an applicator as defined in claim 2; and spring means between said cover means and guide means for shifting said guide means along said cover means and unplugging means to a position encompassing and protecting said unplugging means.

4. In an applicator: a container for a fluid and having a forward portion provided with a discharge opening,

communicating the interior of the container with the exterior of the forward portion; cover means removably mounted on said container to enclose said forward portion; and unlugging means carried by said cover means insertable into said opening in response to mounting of said cover means on said container to clear said opening; said unplugging means comprising a wire movable into said opening; guide means shiftably mounted in and with respect to said cover means; said wire being slidable axially in said guide means; said guide means being engageable with said forward portion upon partial mounting of said cover means on said container to position said wire substantially coaxial of said opening preparatory to movement of said wire into said opening, whereupon full mounting of said cover means on said containter shifts said wire into said opening to clear the same.

5. In an applicator: a container for a fluid and having a forward portion provided with a discharge opening communicating the interior of the container with the exterior of the forward portion; cover means removably mounted on said container to enclose said forward portion; and unplugging means carried by said cover means insertable into said opening in response to mounting of said cover means on said container to clear said opening; said unplugging means comprising a wire movable into said opening; guide means shiftably mounted in said cover means; said wire being slidable axially in said guide means; said guide means being engageable with said forward portion upon partial mounting of said cover means on said container to position said wire substantially coaxial of said opening preparatory to movement of said wire into said opening, whereupon full mounting of said cover means on said container shifts said wire into said opening to clear the same; and spring means between said cover means and guide means for shifting said guide means along said cover means and wire to a position protecting said wire.

6. In an applicator: a container for a fluid and having a forward portion provided with a discharge orifice of capillary cross-section, said orifice having a length less than the height to which surface tension is capable of elevating the fluid, said orifice communicating the intially coaxial of said orifice preparatory to movement of said unplugging means into said orifice, whereupon full mounting of said cover means on said container shifts said unplugging means into said orifice to clear the same.

7. In a applicator: a container for a fluid and having a forward portion provided with a discharge orifice of capillary cross-section, said orifice having a length less than the height to which surface tension is capable of elevating the fluid, said orifice communicating the interior of the container with the exterior of the forward portion; cover means removably mounted on said container to enclose said forward portion; and unplugging means carried by said cover means insertable into said orifice in repsonse to mounting of said cover means on said container to clear said orifice; said unplugging means comprising a wire movable into said orifice; guide means shiftably mounted in said cover means; said wire being slidable axially in said guide means; said guide means being engageable with said forward portion upon partial mounting of said cover means on said container to position said wire substantially coaxial of said orifice preparatory to movement of said wire into said orifice, whereupon full mounting of said cover means on said container shifts said wire into said orifice to clear the same.

8. In an applicator as defined in claim 7; and spring means between said cover means and guide means for shifting said guide means along said cover means and wire to a position enclosing and protecting said wire. 

1. In an applicator: a container for a fluid and having a forward portion provided with a discharge opening communicating the interior of the container with the exterior of the forward portion; cover means removably mounted on said container to enclose said forward portion; and unplugging means carried by said cover means insertable into said opening in response to mounting of said cover means on said container to clear said opening; and centering means in said cover means engageable with said forward portion to position said unplugging means substantially coaxial of said opening preparatory to insertion of said unplugging means in said opening, said unplugging means being slidable axially within said centering means and into said opening after engagement of said centering means with said forward portion.
 2. In an applicator: a container for a fluid and having a forward portion provided with a discharge opening communicating the interior of the container with the exterior of the forward portion; cover means removably mounted on said container to enclose said forward portion; and unplugging means carried by said cover means insertable into said opening in response to mounting of said cover means on said container to clear said opening; guide means shiftably mounted in said cover means; said unplugging means being slidable axially in said guide means; said guide means being engageable with said forward portion upon partial mounting of said cover means on said container to position said unplugging means substantially coaxial of said opening preparatory to movement of said unplugging means into said opening, whereupon full mounting of said cover means on said container shifts said unplugging means into said opening to clear the same.
 3. In an applicator as defined in claim 2; and spring means between said cover means and guide means for shifting said guide means along said cover means and unplugging means to a position encompassing and protecting said unplugging means.
 4. In an applicator: a container for a fluid and having a forward portion provided with a discharge opening communicating the interior of the container with the exterior of the forward portion; cover means removably mounted on said container to enclose said forward portion; and unlugging means carried by said cover means insertable into said opening in response to mounting of said cover means on said container to clear said opening; said unplugging means comprising a wire movable into said opening; guide means shiftably mounted in and with respect to said cover means; said wire being slidable axially in said guide means; said guide means being engageable with said forward portion upon partial mounting of said cover means on said container to position said wire substantially coaxial of said opening preParatory to movement of said wire into said opening, whereupon full mounting of said cover means on said containter shifts said wire into said opening to clear the same.
 5. In an applicator: a container for a fluid and having a forward portion provided with a discharge opening communicating the interior of the container with the exterior of the forward portion; cover means removably mounted on said container to enclose said forward portion; and unplugging means carried by said cover means insertable into said opening in response to mounting of said cover means on said container to clear said opening; said unplugging means comprising a wire movable into said opening; guide means shiftably mounted in said cover means; said wire being slidable axially in said guide means; said guide means being engageable with said forward portion upon partial mounting of said cover means on said container to position said wire substantially coaxial of said opening preparatory to movement of said wire into said opening, whereupon full mounting of said cover means on said container shifts said wire into said opening to clear the same; and spring means between said cover means and guide means for shifting said guide means along said cover means and wire to a position protecting said wire.
 6. In an applicator: a container for a fluid and having a forward portion provided with a discharge orifice of capillary cross-section, said orifice having a length less than the height to which surface tension is capable of elevating the fluid, said orifice communicating the interior of the container with the exterior of the forward portion; cover means removably mounted on said container to enclose said forward portion; and unplugging means carried by said cover means insertable into said orifice in response to mounting of said cover means on said container to clear said orifice; guide means shiftably mounted in said cover means; said unplugging means being slidable axially in said guide means; said guide means being engageable with said forward portion upon partial mounting of said cover means on said container to position said unplugging means substantially coaxial of said orifice preparatory to movement of said unplugging means into said orifice, whereupon full mounting of said cover means on said container shifts said unplugging means into said orifice to clear the same.
 7. In a applicator: a container for a fluid and having a forward portion provided with a discharge orifice of capillary cross-section, said orifice having a length less than the height to which surface tension is capable of elevating the fluid, said orifice communicating the interior of the container with the exterior of the forward portion; cover means removably mounted on said container to enclose said forward portion; and unplugging means carried by said cover means insertable into said orifice in repsonse to mounting of said cover means on said container to clear said orifice; said unplugging means comprising a wire movable into said orifice; guide means shiftably mounted in said cover means; said wire being slidable axially in said guide means; said guide means being engageable with said forward portion upon partial mounting of said cover means on said container to position said wire substantially coaxial of said orifice preparatory to movement of said wire into said orifice, whereupon full mounting of said cover means on said container shifts said wire into said orifice to clear the same.
 8. In an applicator as defined in claim 7; and spring means between said cover means and guide means for shifting said guide means along said cover means and wire to a position enclosing and protecting said wire. 